Alex Scott is finally ready to star for troubled Bournemouth - but can he rescue their season?

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There’s no doubt that Bournemouth go into Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley with a huge amount of concern. After nine league games, the Cherries have picked up just three points and suffered no less than six defeats. Such is the concern at the club and among their fans that anything but all three points against fellow relegation-threatened Burnley may even lead to Andoni Iraola losing his job despite only arriving at the club in June. 

Market Value

A. Scott Central Midfield

€20.00m

One sliver of hope that fans will be clinging on to is the fact that new signing Alex Scott may finally be fit and ready to play a full 90 minutes for his side. Scott made the move to Bournemouth in the summer transfer window from Bristol City in a deal worth €23 million. Not only did Scott make the move as Bournemouth’s fourth most expensive signing ever, but also as a long-term solution to the club’s form in the Premier League. Unfortunately a knee injury one week ahead of the new season ruled him out of the first eight games of the league season, but he’s now back and he could make a serious difference to Iraola’s side. 

What will Alex Scott bring to Bournemouth? 

Although Scott made the breakthrough at Bristol City in 2021/22, it was in last season’s Championship campaign that the young midfielder made a name for himself and attracted interest from a number of England’s biggest clubs. The 20-year-old talent thrived with his close control and ability to get the better of opposing midfielders. This was best showcased through the fact that he finished top of the Championship for ground duels won among all midfielders last season and fifth for successful dribbles. When we then couple that with the fact that Scott finished eighth for through balls and bagged one goal and five assists, it points to an excellent No.8 in the making. 

Of course, asking Scott to almost single-handedly rescue Bournemouth’s season is a farcical thought, but he should provide a huge amount of stability to a midfield that has constantly changed from one week to the next as their under-pressure manager has desperately tried to find solutions to their problems. For example, while the club already have defensive midfielders in Philip Billing and Lewis Cook, but Scott’s addition to midfield could allow Iraola to move Ryan Christie out of the central trio and back into the attacking line. Which, in turn, may provide more defensive stability and a better attacking threat.